Alexander, Kwame. 2016. Booked. New York: HMH Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780544570986
The follow up to Newbery Winner, The Crossover, introduces us to another sports loving boy. This time the reader follows 12-year-old, soccer-loving Nick through the halls of his middle school and the issues in his home. Another story told in poems, this time free verse, tells of Nick’s father’s love of words, and thus making his son learn them. Nick navigates bullies, tries to talk to the girl he likes, and doesn’t know how to deal with the surprise of his parents separation.
Just like The Crossover, Booked is highly engaging and expresses so many emotions with such few words. Readers are able to get to know the characters just as well as they would in any novel. Upper elementary to middle schoolers will be able to connect to the content in this book as Nick competes with his best friend in soccer, tries to talk to the girl he has a crush on, and feels alone in the battles he is facing at home. This would be another great addition to a poetry unit to give an example of how free verse can tell stories.
Booked was on the Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers List.
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